University of Notre Dame's Academic Reputation Deflating?

by Rhonda J Mangus | February 7, 2010 at 06:10 pm

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Is the University of Notre Dame's academic reputation deflating? Some think so after last month's Notre Dame students protested for gay rights following the University's newspaper, The Observer, printing a cartoon that appears to advocate the beating of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people into vegetables and, more recently, word that the University is supporting ex-gay speakers.

Even though the University and student newspaper apologized for printing the gay bashing cartoon, it is thought that, "the very sentiments behind the comic are fostered by a university that has consistently fought to keep sexual orientation off its non-discrimination policy, and has consistently refused to recognize LGBT student groups on campus."

Does the University of Notre Dame want to cement a reputation as one of the fiercest anti-gay institutions in the country? They're on the fast-track toward doing so. First comes a cartoon in a student newspaper that advocates gay bashing. Now comes word that the University is going to host a columnist who not only believes that ministry can change one's sexual orientation, but that homosexuality is on par with clinical depression and that same-sex attraction is the result of deep-seated psychological wounds.

"Hear that sound? It's the sound of the University of Notre Dame's academic reputation deflating."

The speaker in question is Melinda Selmys, who is one of the headliners of Notre Dame's "Edith Stein Project," an annual event that examines what it means to be "authentic women and men." Apparently authenticity to Notre Dame means heralding speakers who believe that homosexuality is as changeable as a pair of underwear, and that queer folks suffer psychological problems.

In three columns for the National Catholic Register in 2007, Melinda Selmys wrote that she gave up her lesbian relationship when she decided to be Catholic, and accepted the Virgin Mary as a seminal role model of femininity. But the juicy bits don't stop there. Selmys says that gay men have a hard time accepting God because he reminds them of their own harsh father figures.

Read What is Notre Dame thinking?

Urge Notre Dame To End Homophobia On Campus

Previously on NowPublic by this Author: Notre Dame Students Protest for Gay Rights

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Susan Marie Kovalinsky

at 18:44 on February 7th, 2010

Excellent post, Rhonda, nice work.

Hugh Askew

at 19:57 on February 7th, 2010

It is a Catholic university.

Are they supposed to give up their core beliefs to worship the gods of Political Correctness?

The columnist in question has changed her sexuality, so why is that an issue? Oh, that's right, it supposedly can't happen. Except that it obviously does.

stejeb

at 07:23 on February 8th, 2010

Many young people start into their teens unsure of their sexual identy, many will experiment both ways, of those, some will go on as bi-sexual, but most settle into one sexual orientation. so their are always going to be those that switch, but for the majority of gays happiness is found in one direction and stays there.

Using the example of one person and portraying her as an example of how people can be "cured" is wrong, being gay isn't an illness, and two friends I grew up with who are gay had no problems with their fathers, I don't see why people find it so hard to accept that it is a perfectly natural part of humanity, it doesn't have to have a psychological or medical cause.

And to be honest, I don't care what religion the university is, they should be giving equal treatment to gays, there is a law against discrimination in europe, they should be made to conform to it like everyone else.

Hugh Askew

at 08:40 on February 8th, 2010

So tough luck to their beliefs, as long as the gods of PC are appeased?

Killing is also a perfectly natural part of humanity, yet we hardly shrug our shoulders at the practice.

stejeb

at 08:45 on February 8th, 2010

Explain to me how it affects their religioous beliefs Hugh, no one's asking them to convert from catholicism to gay.

Hugh Askew

at 08:56 on February 8th, 2010

Okay, if you explain to me why allowing killers into their school would be acceptable.

stejeb

at 09:11 on February 8th, 2010

I can't see any connection between letting gays in and letting killers in, in this situatiion you have to look to some British universaties and ask that question about christmas bombers.

Hugh Askew

at 09:27 on February 8th, 2010

Since the school teaches that homosexuality, and killing, are morally wrong, letting folks that commit morally reprehensible acts attend school there tacitly condones their actions.

You appear attempting to force your beliefs on the school. Do remember, please, that it is a private institution, and a religious one at that.

I wonder if you think muslims should be allowed to impose sharia law on students at a Catholic University. Is that how things are done in Britain?

stejeb

at 09:38 on February 8th, 2010

"Is that how things are done in Britain?"

Wouldn't surprise me Hugh.

The thing is, whether or not it is a private institution is neither here nor there, they should be treating people equally, and leaving their religious beliefs in church and at home.

And the catholic church should be the very last to criticise anyone for morally reprehensible acts.

Hugh Askew

at 10:07 on February 8th, 2010

It IS a church institution.

Easy solution for you patrolmen in the PC police force ( known in other times as brownshirts) - if you don't like it, don't send your kids there.

I love the hypocrisy here on your part - it is okay to impose your beliefs on others - but not okay for them to hold others to theirs. That says a lot.

Sputnic

at 10:03 on February 8th, 2010

Religious institutions have a right to base their rules on scripture. Cartoon was a bit off though.

stejeb

at 10:43 on February 8th, 2010

Basing rules on scripture is fine as long as they don't use scripture, or religion, to discriminate against people, noone is imposing beliefs on them, I'm saying they shouldn't impose theirs on anyone either.

So, Universtity=Education, Religious beliefs=church.

Not rocket science is it?